Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai was a Tanna, student of Rabbi Akiva during the Roman Empire era. He is better known for authoring the Zohar Hakadosh (Esoteric Jewish book). 

 

One time the RASHBI and other sages were discussing about the beauty of roman edifices and the contribution they did to Judea. The RASHBI on the other hand, declared:" Everything they did was for their own sake...". The conversation reached the Roman authorities and death upon Rabbi Shimon was decreed. 

 

He escaped with his son into a cave where they stayed for 12 years! All this time they were learning and miracles happened so that they could survive while they were hidden. They did not leave the cave until Eliyahu HaNavi came asking: Who will tell bar Yochai that the emperor has died and his decrees have been annulled? To what they understood that it was time to leave the cave. 

 

One of the main traits that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai had was the love for every jew no matter who he/she was. As stated in the Talmud on his behalf:

 

"One should cast himself into a fiery furnace rather than embarras a fellow jew" Sotah -10b

 

The RASHBI was one of the greatest in revealed matters and in hidden matters. He had the merit to reveal to the world The Zohar HaKadosh, cornerstone of all kabbalistic knowledge that we have nowadays. As he was a great student he was also a great master, he was one of the teachers of Rabbi Yehuda HaNassi, author of the Mishnah. 

 

On Lag BaOmer we have the opportunity to connect with him and ask Hashem to use his merits to concede our petitions. Lag BaOmer is a great opportunity for spiritual growth so that we can come closer to Hashem.